1024 Tasting Notes

I am a fan of Earl Grey in most of its forms, so I was excited to try this sample. The scent of the dry leaves is mostly vanilla with the bergamot and a floral scent also being present. The instructions on the packet give a steeping time of 3 to 7 minutes, a huge range for tea. I decided to see what a long steep would do and set my timer for six and a half minutes.

The tea is dark in color but light in body. Given the long steeping time I’m impressed with the lack of bitterness. There is a bit of dryness at the back of the throat, but I don’t find this unpleasant. The bergamot note is most prevalent followed by the floral note and then the vanilla. I do wish the base tea had more body, but I like the flavor of the tea overall. It’s a lighter EGC, but also a nice one.

Flavors: Bergamot, Floral, Vanilla

Preparation

Darjeeling, this Darjeeling in particular, had been on my mind lately. I’ll go to choose a tea, and this will always be one of the ones I consider, but I’ve been choosing other teas for various reasons. Well, today this one won out, and I’m glad it did. I still pick up on the muscadine flavor which always makes me smile. I think this is a great late summer tea, and I think I’ll be saying yes to it more often.

Preparation

Last night I was tired and sore from some work I had done around the house. I offhandedly asked my husband if he knew how to make a proper cup of tea. The look on his face was priceless. He’s been a tea drinker far longer than I have, but he uses tea bags, Tetley tea bags to be precise. I guess he thought I impugned his tea honor because he made a beeline for the kitchen and was determined to make my tea. He asked me which tea I wanted and after choosing this one he banished me from the kitchen. The whole thing was really funny. Plus, I was served tea in bed. What’s not awesome about that?

The cup of tea he brought me was wonderful. Slightly smokey with a rich cocoa note. I also really like the strength of the malt note in this tea. It’s strong, but it doesn’t overwhelm the cup. So good! As a bonus, we both had a good laugh over the whole tea making process which made the tea even better. :)

Tea of the morning. I don’t have many of these left, so I’ve been hoarding them. Today I was up eariler than usual and thought it was the perfect time to enjoy this tea. There are so many flavors going on in my cup: cocoa, malt, raisin, bread, and a surprising floral note that I’ve never tasted in this tea before. It’s not a strong note, but it was enough to make me wonder. Regardless this is a wonderful little tea, and I’m glad it was my wake up cup today.

Preparation

So good. The caramel and honey flavors are wonderful, and then the bread, malt, and raisin notes kick in, and oh, I am in heaven. Such a wonderful tea! I feel like I’m appreciating this one more and more as time goes on. I knew it was good the first time I tried it, but every time I drink it now I’m impressed by the layers of flavor, the chocolate-y smell of the leaves and the silky smooth feel as I sip. Utterly delicious.

Tea of the morning. Chocolate-y, baked bread, malty, molasses-y deliciousness. This was such a wonderful way to wake up. I’m sipping on the third steep of these leaves, and each cup is equally good. I’m thinking I need to have this tea in my cupboard always and forever.

Preparation

Before bed tea. This is actually really nice and spicy tonight. I still get apple crisp more than gingerbread, but there’s definitely a ginger-y heat in the back of my throat. The rooibos flavor has also mellowed a bit, or maybe the spice is covering it up. Either way, I’m pleased with the results. A nice, spicy, before bed chai, and a (hopefully) good night’s sleep. Win!

Preparation

Sweet mercy in the mornin’, this is some good stuff! It’s delicate and lovely with rose and lemon notes giving way to good crusty bread. There’s a sharpness to the finish that is very wine-like, and as the tea cools the muscatel notes come out and blend with the floral and lemon notes in a really beautiful way.

Love, love, love this one.

Bumping my rating up from 99 to 100.

Preparation

I honestly forgot I had this one in my cupboard. An unopened tin just sitting there waiting for me to notice it. Well, today I did, and I made myself a travel mug of this lovely before heading out the door this morning. I like the caramel paired with the citrus flavors. I also like how it is super flavorful but not super heavy.

Dear Paris,

I’m sorry I ignored you. Please forgive me. I shall not make the same mistake again.

Tea of the morning. This is a tea to wake you up! Robust and full bodied, it has a steel cut oats flavor that I enjoyed. This could easily take milk and sugar, but it’s really good plain. No astringency or bitterness. Just a simple dark tea to give you a kick in the pants and send you on your way.

The store I’m referring to is about an hour south; probably a good thing because it’s too far for me to blow my grocery budget on nothing but tea. Locally, the tea selection is expanding a little (can actually find a few Harney & Sons basics at our Target) but still isn’t as elegant and eclectic as I’d like it to be.

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100-95 = Teas I actively seek out and keep in my pantry. If you are a guest in my home chances are I will offer you one or all of these teas. Also, if/when these teas are discontinued I openly mourn their loss.

94-85 = Teas I truly like, often have in my pantry, and sometimes restock. These are my variety-is-the-spice-of-life teas.